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XpressSAR Inc. of Arlington, Virginia and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to purchase from IAI a constellation of up to four TecSAR synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites along with associated support services for launch, in-orbit testing, commissioning, and establishing ground operations to control the constellation.
XpressSAR, an American-owned and operated company will purchase and operate the satellites in an inclined orbit. IAI is responsible for the manufacturing of the satellites and other services needed to deliver a turnkey operational constellation in space.
The world of SAR is at the cutting edge of space-based intelligence capabilities. The TecSAR satellite developed and designed by IAI is ranked among the world’s most advanced space systems and is uniquely designed to provide high-resolution intelligence. It carries a SAR payload, designed to provide images during day, night, and all-weather conditions, including under cloud cover.
The TecSAR satellites are significantly smaller, lighter, and more agile than other satellites in their category, providing outstanding maneuverability and image resolution quality and quantity.
The unique combination of electronic beam steering modes and mechanical agility make it the perfect surveillance system from space, leading the trade by far in the number of high resolution spot images generated in each pass over a dense target scene.
Wolfgang Biedermann, CEO of XpressSAR Inc., said, “After a long review process of the different solutions available on the market, we are excited to partner with IAI to offer a perfect surveillance system from space using IAI’s excellent and cost-effective SAR satellites.”
“With IAI’s advanced satellites capabilities we will provide the most up-to-date radar imaging technology for high quality information. Our focus is to use cutting-edge but proven technology to offer our future customers reliably the highest product quality while still acting as an innovator and market disruptor,” he added.
Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IAI’s Systems, Missiles and Space Group, said, “Through this collaboration, XpressSAR will be able to offer state-of-the-art satellite constellation for multi-customer use, with IAI’s technological excellence and operational knowhow. For the past three decades, IAI has been developing and operating satellites for various purposes for the defense needs of Israel and customers worldwide. We are excited to work with XpressSAR in developing and manufacturing the advanced satellite constellation.”
